Marshon Lattimore wins 2017 NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year, completing a Saints sweep

Marshon Lattimore was the first cornerback taken off the board in the 2017 NFL draft, and rightfully so. The New Orleans Saints needed a stud defensive back who could bolster their defensive backfield, and the Ohio State product didn’t disappoint in his rookie season.

After catching five interceptions and defending 18 other passes, Lattimore took home the NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year Award. It allowed the Saints to sweep the Rookie of the Year Awards after Alvin Kamara won the Offensive Rookie of the Year.

It’s the first time a pair of teammates have won both rookie of the year awards in quite some time:

Lattimore is the second straight Buckeye to win this award. Last year, Chargers defensive end Joey Bosa took home the award.

Lattimore finished in the top 10 in passes defennded. Quarterbacks tried to test the rookie, hoping he would make a mistake. But Lattimore used his speed and ball skills to defend the pass in 2017, and it helped the Saints improve a depleted defense.

According to Pro Football Focus, Lattimore finished with a 90.5 grade, fifth best among cornerbacks. He has a knack for getting physical with big receivers — just watch the interception he made against Atlanta Falcons receiver Julio Jones in Week 14:

Quarterbacks didn’t have much success throwing the ball in his direction, as he was quite effective in making plays on the football. When in coverage, receivers only caught a combined 36 receptions for 486 yards and no touchdowns.

Lattimore only surrendered a 45.3 passer rating — the third-best rating in the NFL. And none of the receivers who lined up on his side scored touchdowns. Lattimore also made his presence felt in the run game by chipping in with 52 tackles.

He received a Pro Bowl nod for his fantastic rookie season and could transform into one of the best cornerbacks in the NFL for years to come.